> | Lab 1.6.6.2 Router memory upgrade - Overview Estimated Time: 30 min. Objectives: Display information about current IOS software and router memory Review the steps for upgrading router DRAM memory Review the steps for upgrading router Flash memory Background: In this lab you will determine what version and IOS your router is currently running and become familiar with the requirements for updating to a newer version. You will check to see how much flash memory the router has and how much of it is currently used by the IOS image (system code) and how much is free. You will also check the amount of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). With Cisco 1600 and 2500 routers and most IOS images, the IOS usually runs from flash memory. If you determine that you do not have enough flash memory to update to a newer larger IOS image, you will need to perform a flash memory upgrade. You also might need to upgrade the DRAM SIMM if you upgrade the Cisco IOS feature set or release or if your router maintains large routing tables or other memory-intensive features, such as spoofing or protocol translations. If a 2500 series router does NOT have 8MB Flash AND 4MB RAM, you will need to obtain and install additional memory modules. The procedure for upgrading the DRAM and flash SIMMs (Simple In-line Memory Modules) for a Cisco 2500 is outlined in this lab. Tools / Preparation: Prior to starting the lab you will need to connect a PC workstation with HyperTerminal to a router using the router's console Interface with a roll-over cable. You will also need an Ethernet connection to the router. A TFTP server should also be available to back up the IOS prior to replacing the flash SIMMs. Although the instructions in this lab for upgrading router flash memory may not be required for your lab setup, you should read through them to become familiar with the process. You should review Chapter 16 in the Cisco Networking Academy First-Year Companion Guide and review semester 3 online curriculum lesson 1 prior to starting this lab. Work in teams. Note that detailed instructions can be found at the web site listed below. A PDF file can be downloaded. Resources Required: PC with Monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cords etc. Windows operating system (Win 95, 98, NT or 2000) installed on PC HyperTerminal program configured for router console connection PC connected to the Router console port with a roll-over cable. PC connected to a hub that the router is connected to or a crossover cable directly to the router PC on a network that the router can send and receive to running a TFTP daemon (server). Medium-size flat-blade screwdriver (1/4 inch [0.625 cm]) ESD-preventive wrist strap The DRAM SIMM required for your planned upgrade System-code SIMM(s) Web Site Resources: Routing basics General information on routers 2500 series routers 1600 series routers Terms and acronyms IP routing protocol IOS command summary Cisco TFTP Server (Win 9x version) TFTP Command Syntax Maintaining and upgrading the 2500 router Notes: Step 1 - Login to the router. Connect to the router with the console connection and log in. Enter the password cisco if prompted. Enter privileged mode with the enable command. Use the password of class Step 2 - Check the current IOS version and amount of DRAM. Use the show version command to check the IOS version and amount of DRAM 1. What version of the IOS is the router currently running? 2. How much DRAM is installed? Step 3 - Check the IOS image file and flash memory. Use the show flash command to obtain information about Flash memory and the IOS image. 3. Document the following information from the show flash command. a) How much flash memory is used and available? b) What is the file that is stored in flash memory? c) What is the size in bytes of the flash memory? Step 4 - Review IOS image memory requirements. Your options for updating the router IOS will vary depending on the router model number, the version of IOS you are currently running, the amount of Flash memory and the amount of DRAM memory the router has. The following table shows various IOS images updates available and their memory requirements:
> Cisco Router Series | IOS Version / Feature Set | *Image Name | Image Size | Reqd. Flash Memory | Reqd. DRAM memory
> 1600 | 1.2(21) - **IP/IPX | C1600-ny-l.112-21.P.bin | 3,729kB | 4MB | 2MB
> 1600 | 12.0(10) – **IP/IPX | C1600-ny-l.120-10.bin | 5,031kB | 6MB | 4MB
> 2500 | 11.2(21) - **IP/IPX/AT/DEC | C2500-d-l.112-21.bin | 5,292kB | 8MB | 4MB
> 2500 | 12.0(10) **IP/IPX/AT/DEC | C2500-d-l.120-10.bin | 6,730kB | 8MB | 6MB
Notes: * The last character of the feature portion of the IOS image name (e.g. C1600-ny-l) is a lower case letter L not a number 1. ** Feature sets: IP = TCP/IP protocol, IPX = Novell IPX protocol, AT = AppleTalk protocol, DEC = DecNet protocol. All images shown above run from Flash memory Section 2 - Cisco 2500 Series Router System Card Layouts Cisco Model 2501, 2501, 2502, 2503, and 2504 System Board (SIMMs in place) Cisco Model 2514 System Board (SIMMs removed) Section 3 - Upgrading the DRAM SIMM This section describes how to upgrade the DRAM SIMM on the system card. Take the following steps to install the DRAM SIMMs. Step 1 - Power OFF the router. Step 2 - Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap. Step 3 - Open the cover Follow the instructions in the section "Opening the Chassis" of the web document. Step 4 - Remove the existing DRAM SIMM Pull outward on the connectors to unlatch them, as shown below. Be careful not to break the holders on the SIMM connector. Step 5 - Install the new SIMM Position the new SIMM so that the polarization notch is located at the left end of the SIMM socket. (See Figure below) Step 6 - Insert the new DRAM SIMM Slide the end with the metal fingers into the SIMM connector socket at approximately a 45-degree angle to the system card. Gently rock the SIMM back into place until the latch on either side snaps into place. Do not use excessive force because the connector may break. Step 7 - Replace the router cover. Section 4 - Upgrading the System Code flash SIMM Step 1 - Power OFF the router. Step 2 - Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap. Step 3 - Open the cover Follow the instructions in the section "Opening the Chassis" of the web document. Step 5 - Preparing to Install the System-Code SIMM There are two system-code (Flash memory) SIMM sockets on the system board. If you want to install system-code SIMMs in both sockets, the SIMMs must be the same size. For example, if a 4-MB system-code SIMM is already installed in your router, the new SIMM must also be 4 MB. This upgrade would give you a total of 8 MB. Caution: The system code is stored on the Flash memory SIMMs, but new system-code SIMMs are shipped without preinstalled software. Before proceeding with this procedure, use the copy flash tftp command to back up the system code to a TFTP server. The TFTP server backup / restore process is described in a prior lab. Step 6 - Replace Flash SIMM(s). If you are replacing a 4MB SIMM with an 8MB SIMM, that 8MB SIMM must be placed in SIMM socket 0. If you are adding SIMMs and they are to be placed side-by-side on the system card, the SIMMs must be of equal size e.g. two 4MB SIMMs, NOT one 4MB and one 8MB together. Locate the SIMM sockets, labeled CODE 0 and CODE 1, on the system card. If necessary, remove the existing system-code SIMM by pulling outward on the connector holders to unlatch them. If you are installing system-code SIMMs in both sockets (CODE0 and CODE1), both SIMMs must be the same size. Populate the SIMM socket labeled CODE0 first; then populate CODE1 Step 7- Reconfigure flash partition (if necessary). After adding the Flash SIMM, if the router show flash command indicates that Flash memory has two partitions, you will need to reconfigure that partition from the router. The repartition process involves erasing Flash memory, so you will first have to reboot the router to run in ROM mode. A. Reconfigure the router to boot to ROM. Change the config-register to 0x2101 and reload, using the following commands: Router#configure terminal Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z. Router(config)#config-register 0x2101 Router(config)#exit Router#reload Note: This will bring the router up in boot mode and Flash will be idle. You can not change the partition when the router is running under a full IOS from Flash. You will see a different router prompt, but enable passwords and most commands will remain the same. Router(boot)>enable Password: Router(boot)# B. Erase Flash, including both partitions. Caution: You will need to have a backup IOS image already stored on our tftp server as this will erase all Flash files - and Flash is where a 2500 stores IOS by default! Router(boot)#erase flash The router will prompt you through erasing both partitions (you will need to confirm overwrite and erasure of flash). C. Repartition Flash Now you must repartition the flash into one partition with a size of 8MB (if you have installed two 4MB SIMMs). Router(boot)#configure t Router(boot)(config)#partition flash 1 8 D. Copy the stored IOS image back into flash Use the command copy tftp flash to retrieve the backed up IOS image back into flash memory. The TFTP server backup / restore procedure is described in a prior lab. E. Change the config-register to boot from Flash Change the config register to cause the router to examine NVRAM for boot system commands ("config-register 0x2102") which will load the IOS image from flash. Exit and reload; the router should now read "8192k bytes of processor board System flash Router(boot)(config)#config-register 0x2102 Router(boot)(config)#exit Router(boot)#reload